FunctionComponent of the peroxisomal translocation machinery with PEX14 and PEX17. Functions as a docking factor for the predominantly cytoplasmic PTS1 receptor (PAS10/PEX5). Involved in the import of PTS1 and PTS2 proteins.

Involvement in diseaseDefects in PEX13 are the cause of peroxisome biogenesis disorder complementation group 13 (PBD-CG13) [MIM:601789]; also known as PBD-CGH. PBD-CG13 is a peroxisomal disorder arising from a failure of protein import into the peroxisomal membrane or matrix. The peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD group) are genetically heterogeneous with at least 14 distinct genetic groups as concluded from complementation studies. Include disorders are: Zellweger syndrome (ZWS), neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD), infantile Refsum disease (IRD), and classical rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP). ZWS, NALD and IRD are distinct from RCDP and constitute a clinical continuum of overlapping phenotypes known as the Zellweger spectrum (PBD-ZSS).Defects in PEX13 are a cause of adrenoleukodystrophy neonatal (NALD) [MIM:202370]. NALD is a peroxisome biogenesis disorder (PBD) characterized by the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids, adrenal insufficiency and mental retardation.